(KBTCM) Ch 1: Dreams & Wishes

(Rowena)

In the towering halls of the Castle of Eldorwyn, nestled in the heart of the Kingdom of Vaeloria, ten-year-old Rowena sat comfortably in her mother's lap. Well, as comfortably as one could when their mother was 169 feet tall and their own height wasn't far behind at 144 feet. The Queen of Vaeloria, Aelira the Gentle Giantess, cradled her eldest daughter with ease, her voice warm and lilting as she began to weave the tale that Rowena had begged to hear countless times before.

"Once, long ago," Aelira began, her emerald eyes gleaming with fondness, "I walked among the forests at the edge of our kingdom. It was a quiet place, and I thought it belonged only to me. But fate had other plans."

Rowena leaned against her mother's massive shoulder, eyes wide. She could recite every word of this story by heart, yet it never failed to capture her imagination.

"Your father," Aelira continued, "was just a simple man back then, wandering through the woods. I thought him foolish at first, trespassing in a giant's domain. But he wasn't afraid, not even when he saw me." She chuckled softly, the sound reverberating like distant thunder. "He looked up at me, all six feet of him, and said, 'Are you lost? You seem too beautiful to belong in a place like this.'"

Rowena giggled. "That's such a silly thing to say to a giant!"

"Perhaps," Aelira admitted with a smile, "but it worked. He was bold and kind, and he didn't see my size as something to fear. Instead, he saw me. It wasn't long before I fell in love with his courage and his heart."

Rowena sighed wistfully. She adored this tale, but it also made her heart ache. Unlike her mother, who seemed so at ease with her immense size, Rowena often wished she could be smaller, more normal, like the people who lived in the villages scattered across Vaeloria. She envied her little brother, Theron, who had inherited their father's size and stood no taller than any human child his age. Sure, he was a bit stronger than most boys, but nothing that set him apart the way Rowena and her sister did.

Her younger sister, Sylara, who was only a few feet shorter than Rowena, seemed to revel in her giant stature. Sylara loved to stomp around the palace gardens, her laughter ringing out as she played with birds or practiced balancing enormous boulders on one hand.

Rowena, on the other hand, always felt the weight of her size. She had to be careful with every step, every touch. Even a simple game of tag with Sylara could end in disaster if she wasn't mindful. She longed for the freedom to move and play without restraint, to run through the forest like her father once had, unburdened by the fear of causing harm.

"Mother," Rowena said softly, her voice tinged with longing, "do you think... do you really think I'll find someone like Father? Someone who won't mind how big I am?"

Aelira's massive hand gently cupped Rowena's cheek, her touch warm and reassuring. "Oh, my sweet girl," she said, her voice filled with love, "I know you will. There's someone for everyone in this world, just as there was for me. One day, you'll find a prince who sees not just your size, but the kindness in your heart and the strength of your spirit. And together, you'll rule Vaeloria with grace and wisdom."

Rowena nodded, trying to believe her mother's words. She trusted Aelira more than anyone, but it was hard to imagine finding someone who could look past her towering height. Still, if her mother could find love, then maybe—just maybe—there was hope for her too.

She looked out over the sprawling kingdom, the fields and forests stretching far beyond the horizon. One day, all of it would be hers to protect. It was a daunting thought, but for now, she nestled closer to her mother and let herself dream of a future where she could rule with a gentle hand and a heart full of love.

"Tell me the rest of the story, Mother," Rowena said, her voice brightening. "Tell me about how Father climbed that mountain to prove his love."

Aelira laughed, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to make the walls of the castle hum. "Ah, that part is my favorite. Let me tell you, my little star, your father was braver than he looked..."

And as the tale unfolded, Rowena let herself believe, just for a moment, that her mother's words would one day come true.